Pickings Up, Jottings Down, And Suggestions Done In The Rough.

rooms" are becomino- the rule . I have often O found , too , the ceremonies slovenly given through lack of lodges of instruction and commendable ambition on the part of the members . Several times I have been at a loss to conceive what Avould

have been the result if a helping hand had not been present in the shape of a visitor . On one occasion I visited a lodge ancl found the Tyler utterly ignorant of his duty , ancl having been invited to preside was under the painful necessity of

reproving him . In another lodge not a single working brother was present , and the consequences are easily conceived . In another the following facts were laid before me and my opinion sought . A candidate was proposed in a lodge in his native

town , but not accepted . Twelve months afterwards he was again proposed and with a similar result . His name was then given to a brother from a distant town , who did not know the candidate , ancl by him handed to another brother equally

ignorant of his fitness or unfitness . Nevertheless he was proposed , seconded , ballotted for , approved , and initiated , without equity . I had no hesitation in saying that the W . M . of the lodge where the initiation took place was guilty of extreme

dereliction of duty , ancl that if I were W . M . of the lodge where he was twice rejected I would not admit him as a visitor , and that I felt confident the rulers of the Craft would support me when all the facts were laid before them . There should surely be some remedy in such cases !

On more than one occasion remembering Burke' s playful suggestion to Thomson when he contenqilated a visit to Manxeland

that" The proper study of mankind is Man . " 1 determined to " do" the island . Here I found the lodges with two exceptions under the Irish Constitution , and languishing for want of organisation . The best men in Mona are Masons , but

they have few opportunities for understanding the beauties of Masonry . I spoke to several leadinggentlemen and they were unanimous in their desire to he included in some province , and Cumberland and Westmoreland was suggested as the

most convenient . If this desirable change was effected a great stimulus would undoubtedl y be given of Masonry in Mona . I feel sure the newly appointed P . G . M ., Lord Kenlis , would gladly undertake the responsibility , and -what would be

pleasanter than an occasional meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge in Elian 'Fannin , which could be conveniently reached via Whitehaven . I trust

Pickings Up, Jottings Down, And Suggestions Done In The Rough.

the proper authorities will take the matter up . Will the indefatigable Bro . Edward Busher ? The House of Keys has been reformed , and why not the Island Masonry ? I have often found great want of caution in

admitting visitors . One lodge I attended I found no brother able to test me , at another no attempt was made , although I was totally unknown . In contrast to this laxityl have more than once witnessed the most rigid strictness manifested .

I believe the irregularities I have named , being only some of what I have witnessed , would be remedied by the appointment of " Provincial Inspectors , " whose duty should be to visit lodges , counsel brethren , and report annually to the

P . G . M . Such appointments would , I feel sure , greatly tend to develope " that adherence to order and spirit of fraternal union which has given ( and will continue to give ) energy and permanency to the Constitutions of Masonry . "

Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

SACKim MUSIC IN LODGES . At the present day , when the liberal arts have attained unprecedented perfection , ancl in a nation so justly celebrated for scientific accomplishments , I have no hesitation in presuming that ray brethren of the Masonic fraternity will receive my humble ideas

on the great benefits to be derived from , nay , the necessity of propagating the use of , sacred music in lodges during our solemn , ceremonials with that kind leniency which is the distinguishing characteristic of the Craft .

Music is a sublime science . True Freemasonry is co-equal . The principles of tbe latter , of themselves , not only elevate the mind but also instruct , forward , and encourage the contemplation of a future existence . ( So also does the former , but in a different though in as pleasing a manner . It gives us a taste

of heaven whilst on earth , and lifts up our hearts to heavenly things . True Freemasonry teaches us how to prepare for that future state in which we hope to sing the praises of a redeeming love throughout the ceaseless ages of an eternal world . It teaches us tlis Art of Heaven , and what is that great art ? The poet says , " The Art of Heaven , the order of this frame , Is only music in another name , "

What , then , must be the elevating effect where the two are combined ? Surely they can form a power sfficient to warm the coldest heart , to melt the hardest , to charm the fiercest—to dispel our cares , to assuage our pains , to inspire our souls with holy joy , and " tune our tempers to the lyre . "

It is customary here , at the introduction of the candidate , for some musical brother ( if hy good luck one should be present ) to commence to play—say something in the style of lhe A esper Hymn—I say " commence , " for that department of the ceremonial .